District Launches New Storytelling Initiative – We Love to Tell the Story

District Launches New Storytelling Initiative – We Love to Tell the Story

This letter was sent from President Dan May to the pastors of the District on August 9, 2017.

Dear Brothers,

Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, the author and finisher of our faith. It is indeed a joy to serve our District alongside you, especially now as we look forward to commemorating the 500th anniversary of the Reformation. As our Synod reminds us, “it’s still all about Jesus.” Whether we are working in our local congregations, Lutheran schools, outreach initiatives, human care, or other Lutheran ministries, all our efforts are focused on knowing Christ and making Him known.

I want to share with you an important initiative the District is beginning this fall. We want to be more effective at sharing stories and examples of various ministries taking place across Indiana and northern Kentucky. In conjunction with this new stewardship based initiative, and building on our triennium theme, “One in Spirit and Purpose” (Ephesians 4: 4-5), we are excited to share and highlight the good things that come from Lutheran people working together. We want to reach everyone in the District with stories that showcase best ministry practices, edify fellow believers, and motivate a continued commitment for all ministry.

Beginning this month, you will receive an email from me featuring a set of storytelling resources. We will bring to your attention materials that will help you share with your congregation the good things happening in our District. We’ll provide you with materials that will help you communicate the exciting blessings God brings when we as Lutherans work faithfully together to serve Christ throughout our region.

These resources may include:

Articles to reprint in your church or school newsletters

Videos to share with your Christian-education classes and church boards

All of these resources are being made available to help you demonstrate that when Lutheran people work together, by God’s grace, remarkable things happen — both in local congregations and across the region. Our ministry work may take many different forms, but “it’s still all about Jesus.”

It is my hope that you will find these materials very useful in teaching your congregations about our oneness in Christ, and in making the case for generous support of our shared mission. I’ll have more to share about this new storytelling initiative at our Fall Pastors Conferences.

Meanwhile, please stand by for the first installment of materials — appropriately on stewardship — to be quickly followed by additional resources highlighting effective ministries throughout the Indiana District.